Overflow-alarm for refrigerators.



T. M. TOLLIVER.

OVEBFLOW ALARM FOB BEFRIGERATORS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7. 1914.

1 1 22,667. Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

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5 CO PHOTO-LITHON WASHINOION, n. c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS M. TOLLIVER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

ovERFmw-A AFM F03 BEFRIGERATORS.

To all whom it may concerh Be it known that I, THOMAS vented certain newand. useful Impr0ve meats in Overflow-Alarms for Refrigerators; and Ihereby declare "the following to be a full, clear, andieii'act,descriptionof the invention, such as-will enable others skilled in theart to which it ap'pertains to make and use thesame. wt 1- 1 n i overflow alarms Th's invention relates to for refrigerators' and has fforianobjectto:

provide a float control electric circuit closer that will be easily andquickly detachable to cleanse or replace a fouledor water logged float.1

A further object is to provide a device of this character in which the'float is carried" by a resilient arm that is swingably securedin placeby a single screw, the resiliency of the arm coacting with the screw inattaching one of the circuit wires to the arm.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter which will be extremely simple in construction, consisting ofa few parts that will not easily get out of order, and which may bemanufactured at a minimum cost.

\Vith the above objects in view, the invention resides more specificallyin the resilient float carrying arm in combination with the securingscrew whereby the screw is enabled to perform the dual function of abinding post for one circuit wire and a means for removably attachingthe float in place, itbeing understood that various changes in the minordetails of construction may be resorted to within the scope of theappended claims.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevationshowing the application of my invention, and Fig. 2 is a detailedsectional view showing parts of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing in which like characters of referencedesignate corresponding parts in the various views, 10 designates anordinary refrigerator, and 11 the drip pan thereof. In carrying out myinvention I provide a battery cell 12, a buzzer or electric bell 13,electric circuit wires 14 and 15, and a float controlled electriccircuit closer 16 which serves to close the circuit and actuate the bellor other alarm when the water in the drip pan reaches a predef i iSpecificationof Letters Patent.

Application filed January 7, 1914. Serial No. 810,710.

M. TOLLIVER, a citizen of the United States, Ie SldiDg at: Washington,District of Columbia, have m- Patented Dec. 29, 1914;.

termined height. The battery cell, circuit wires and alarm device may belocated at any desired place while the circuit closer is attached to thebottom of the refrigerator.

In constructing the circuit closer I employ a base plate 18 that isequipped with attaching screws 19 or the like and carries centrally aninsulated-contact 20 to which is fixably secured in any preferred mannerthe circuit wire 14. I

An arcuate resilient 'arm 21, formed of metal, is pivotally attached tothe ends of theibase plate, as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed,and centrally carries a vertically inovable float stem 22 which isequipped below the arm with a float 23, which may be of cork if desiredto promote cheapness, the stem being equipped above the arm with a nut24 to limit downward movement of the stem and to prevent the samedropping from the arm. The arm is equipped at one end with an integralgudgeon 25 which enters an orifice 26 in one end of the base plate, andis equipped at the opposite end with an opening 27 which looselyreceives a set screw 28 that is screwed into the adjacent end of thebase plate as shown at 29, the arm rocking on its gudgeon and set screwto facilitate the float swinging over the rim of the drip pan uponwithdrawal and replacing of the same.

A washer 30 is placed on the set screw next to the end of the base plateand the bared end of the circuit wire 15 is wrapped about the set screwand is held clamped against the washer by the end of the resilient arm21 whereby a good electrical connection is made, the set screw 28 thusforming means for removably securing the arm 21 in place and beingassisted by the resiliency of the latter in performing the function of abinding post for the circuit wire 15.

A frequent annoyance met with in devices of this character is that thefloats become fouled from foreign matter in the drip water and from agebecome water logged, thus impairing the proper action of the device.When it is desired to quickly remove the float for cleansing or renewal,it is simply necessary to remove the single set screw 28 whereupon thearm 21 may be easily withdrawn from the base plate and the cleansing orrenewal of the float conveniently accomplished.

In operation, the float is raised upwardly by the water in the drip panuntil the water reaches a predetermined height where upon the floatstem, which is of metal, contacts with the contact 0f20 and closes thecircuit i at this point with a resultant sounding of the alarm to givewarning that tllt drippan' is about to overflow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a. float controlled electric alarm decircuit wire clainped by theresiliency of said yoke on said screw.

3. Thecombination with a refrigerator,

a drip pan thereunder, and an electric sig- 3o nal device, of anattaching member on the refrigerator bottom, a stationary. contact 2. Inan electric alarm device, a circuit closer comprising an attachingmemberya contact earned by said memberyxa resilient yoke, a movablecontactzcarried by said yoke engageable with the'first named,contact,-af gudgeon at one end of said yoke a set screw. at the otherend of-said'yoke, said gudgeo'n and said set screw coacting in'removably securlng said yoke to sa1d member. and a carried by saidmember, a resilient electrical conductor yoke, a buoyant electricalconductor contact slidably carried by said yoke 35 and extending intosaid pan and adapted to engage said stationary contact, a gudgeon at oneend-of said yoke engaging said n-e.'-nber, aset screwat the other end ofsaid yoke engagingi saida'member and enacting 3th 40 said gudgeon inremovably bulging aid yokc on said member, a circuit wire clampedvbyathe resiliency'of 'said yoke on said screw',: a circuitwireconnected; to said st=.iti'l.mary.

contact, :andga source of electricity connect- 45 ing said wires andsaid alarm device- In-testimony-whereof,-=I affix my signature,in-thespresence 'of two witnesses.

. THOMAS M. TOLLIV Eli. WVitnessesz i-' 1- FRANCIS .BoYLE,-

Mrs. V. B. TOLLIVER.

Copies 0! this patent may be obtained'tor five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

" ,Washington, D. C.

